If you’ve been following Only In Your State for a while, you know how much we love discovering hidden gems across this great country of ours. Here are 12 hidden gems in New Mexico, one for each month of the year:

  1. International UFO Museum & Research Center, Roswell

International UFO Museum & Research Center/Facebook Whether or not you are a believer in extraterrestrial life, a trip to the International UFO Museum & Research Center in Roswell is a must. Back in 1947, there was a documented incident that involved metal debris from an unknown (at the time) source. This museum is dedicated to that particular Roswell incident as well as worldwide UFO sightings and events. To learn more, visit the museum’s official website. International UFO Museum and Research Center and Gift Shop, 114 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88203, USA

  1. Acoma Pueblo

Atlantide Phototravel/Corbis Documentary via Getty Images Also referred to as the “Sky City,” the Acoma Pueblo sits atop a mesa off Route 66 approximately 60 miles from Albuquerque. Established in the 12th century, it is still inhabited. A visit to this fascinating community is one of the best day trips in New Mexico. Acoma Pueblo, NM 87034, USA

  1. Very Large Array, Socorro

Very Large Array/Google Local If you’ve ever seen the movie Contact (1997) starring Jodie Foster, then this scene of giant satellite dishes may look familiar to you. The Very Large Array Radio Telescope facility is located about two hours from Albuquerque and is certainly worth the drive to see. This New Mexico hidden gem is quite remote but utterly fascinating. You can even take a self-guided walking tour with interpretive signs to learn more about what these massive dishes have discovered in our skies and beyond over the years. Very Large Array, Socorro, NM 87825, USA

  1. El Morro National Monument, Ramah

Posnov/Moment via Getty Images El Morro National Monument is known for its sandstone cliff with a hidden waterhole. Over the centuries, it was a popular place for travelers to stop. The evidence they left behind is written in the rocks, literally! Take a hike at El Morro National Monument and view more than 2,000 petroglyphs, messages, dates, and signatures. El Morro National Monument, El Morro Nat’l Monument, New Mexico 87321, USA

  1. Dwan Light Sanctuary, Las Vegas

John Zweifler/Google Local If you had to pick one of the most peaceful places in New Mexico, it would have to be the Dwan Light Sanctuary. Located on the United World College campus in Las Vegas, the temple’s use of prisms creates a rainbow effect and a serene place to spend some time meditating. Forest 263 Road, Forest 263 Rd, Las Vegas, NM, USA

  1. Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return, Santa Fe

Meow Wolf Santa Fe/Facebook Have you ever wanted to feel fully immersed in an art exhibit? Well, you will have your chance to do just that at Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe. Good for all ages, this is one incredibly fun and colorful place to explore. Meow Wolf Santa Fe, 1352 Rufina Cir, Santa Fe, NM 87507, USA

  1. Blue Hole, Santa Rosa

sk/Flickr As far as swimming holes in New Mexico go, this is one of the best. Not only does the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa have some of the clearest water in the state but it’s a pretty epic scuba diving spot. Blue Hole, Santa Rosa, NM 88435, USA

  1. Lechuguilla Cave, Carlsbad

James St. John/Flickr Located within Carlsbad Caverns National Park, this New Mexico hidden gem is awe-inspiring. It is one of the top 10 longest caves in the world and definitely worth visiting. Lechuguilla Cave, 727 NM-7, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA

  1. Glenrio

Jasperdo/Flickr For those of you who love visiting and photographing abandoned places, Glenrio is a ghost town in New Mexico worth visiting. Located on the Texas/New Mexico border, a railroad once ran through town and, then, Route 66 was built. It was a tourist destination for many years until the railroad station closed. Glenrio, NM 88434, USA

  1. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Mimbres

Jacob Gates/Google Local Tucked in the Gila National Forest are the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Here you will find ancient caves that people once lived in. It’s worth exploring to see the rooms as well as the pictographs on the cave walls. 26 Jim Bradford Trail, Mimbres, NM 88049

  1. Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary, Ramah

davidblackrageous/Google Local Did you know that there is a wolf sanctuary in New Mexico you can visit? Located in Ramah, Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary is home to over 65 rescue wolves from around the country. The public is welcome to visit and learn about these wonderful animals. 378 Candy Kitchen Rd, Ramah, NM 87321, USA

  1. The Museum of Space History, Alamogordo

Eric Dunlap/Google Local This museum and planetarium is a must-visit for anyone who is fascinated with space. See the International Space Hall of Fame as well as exhibits on rockets, astronauts, and more. Head to the official website to plan your visit. The Museum of Space History, 3198 State Rte 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310, USA

Have you discovered any of these hidden gems in New Mexico yet? If you have, tell us which ones are your favorites in the comments.

International UFO Museum & Research Center/Facebook

Whether or not you are a believer in extraterrestrial life, a trip to the International UFO Museum & Research Center in Roswell is a must. Back in 1947, there was a documented incident that involved metal debris from an unknown (at the time) source. This museum is dedicated to that particular Roswell incident as well as worldwide UFO sightings and events. To learn more, visit the museum’s official website.

International UFO Museum and Research Center and Gift Shop, 114 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88203, USA

Atlantide Phototravel/Corbis Documentary via Getty Images

Also referred to as the “Sky City,” the Acoma Pueblo sits atop a mesa off Route 66 approximately 60 miles from Albuquerque. Established in the 12th century, it is still inhabited. A visit to this fascinating community is one of the best day trips in New Mexico.

Acoma Pueblo, NM 87034, USA

Very Large Array/Google Local

If you’ve ever seen the movie Contact (1997) starring Jodie Foster, then this scene of giant satellite dishes may look familiar to you. The Very Large Array Radio Telescope facility is located about two hours from Albuquerque and is certainly worth the drive to see. This New Mexico hidden gem is quite remote but utterly fascinating. You can even take a self-guided walking tour with interpretive signs to learn more about what these massive dishes have discovered in our skies and beyond over the years.

Very Large Array, Socorro, NM 87825, USA

Posnov/Moment via Getty Images

El Morro National Monument is known for its sandstone cliff with a hidden waterhole. Over the centuries, it was a popular place for travelers to stop. The evidence they left behind is written in the rocks, literally! Take a hike at El Morro National Monument and view more than 2,000 petroglyphs, messages, dates, and signatures.

El Morro National Monument, El Morro Nat’l Monument, New Mexico 87321, USA

John Zweifler/Google Local

If you had to pick one of the most peaceful places in New Mexico, it would have to be the Dwan Light Sanctuary. Located on the United World College campus in Las Vegas, the temple’s use of prisms creates a rainbow effect and a serene place to spend some time meditating.

Forest 263 Road, Forest 263 Rd, Las Vegas, NM, USA

Meow Wolf Santa Fe/Facebook

Have you ever wanted to feel fully immersed in an art exhibit? Well, you will have your chance to do just that at Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe. Good for all ages, this is one incredibly fun and colorful place to explore.

Meow Wolf Santa Fe, 1352 Rufina Cir, Santa Fe, NM 87507, USA

sk/Flickr

As far as swimming holes in New Mexico go, this is one of the best. Not only does the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa have some of the clearest water in the state but it’s a pretty epic scuba diving spot.

Blue Hole, Santa Rosa, NM 88435, USA

James St. John/Flickr

Located within Carlsbad Caverns National Park, this New Mexico hidden gem is awe-inspiring. It is one of the top 10 longest caves in the world and definitely worth visiting.

Lechuguilla Cave, 727 NM-7, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA

Jasperdo/Flickr

For those of you who love visiting and photographing abandoned places, Glenrio is a ghost town in New Mexico worth visiting. Located on the Texas/New Mexico border, a railroad once ran through town and, then, Route 66 was built. It was a tourist destination for many years until the railroad station closed.

Glenrio, NM 88434, USA

Jacob Gates/Google Local

Tucked in the Gila National Forest are the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Here you will find ancient caves that people once lived in. It’s worth exploring to see the rooms as well as the pictographs on the cave walls.

26 Jim Bradford Trail, Mimbres, NM 88049

davidblackrageous/Google Local

Did you know that there is a wolf sanctuary in New Mexico you can visit? Located in Ramah, Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary is home to over 65 rescue wolves from around the country. The public is welcome to visit and learn about these wonderful animals.

378 Candy Kitchen Rd, Ramah, NM 87321, USA

Eric Dunlap/Google Local

This museum and planetarium is a must-visit for anyone who is fascinated with space. See the International Space Hall of Fame as well as exhibits on rockets, astronauts, and more. Head to the official website to plan your visit.

The Museum of Space History, 3198 State Rte 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310, USA

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